Identifying the MARK III

In the line-up↑ TOP

The 1984 MARK III series brochure pictures the two-, four- and eight-channel table-top machines and the upright BQ-II sold with them. The meter count helps narrow the format; the rear plate confirms it.

Track-format examples

Click an image to enlarge it. Meter count shows channels: a quarter-track stereo deck can still have only two meters.

MARK III/2

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Tracks: 2
Channels: 2
Tape: ¼″

Model guide Source

MARK III/4

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Tracks: 4
Channels: 4
Tape: ½″

Model guide Source

MARK III/8

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Tracks: 8
Channels: 8
Tape: ½″

Model guide Source

BQ-II

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Tracks: 4
Channels: 4
Tape: ¼″

Model guide Source

These are brochure photographs; use the rear plate and head configuration to confirm the exact version.

How to recognise one↑ TOP

A desk-top — except the BQ-II. Otari calls the III/2 "a compact, tabletop console recorder" (MARK III/2 data sheet, p.1) and gives the III/4's operating position as "Horizontal (Tabletop type)" (OS3-035, PDF p.22). The BQ-II, sold in the MARK III series, is an upright: its manual gives "Vertical or at angle" (OS3-031, section 2-4).
A DC-servo capstan. Direct drive is stated for the III/4 (OS3-035, PDF p.14) and the BQ-II (OS3-031, 1-1-(1)); for the III/8, Otari's announcement says only "variable speed D.C. servo capstan" (RE/P, June 1981, pp.92–94).

Read the rear plate↑ TOP

Machine	Plate reads	Format
III/2	MX-5050 MKIII-2	¼″ 2-channel
III/4	MX-5050 MKIII-4	½″ 4-channel
III/8	MX-5050 MKIII-8	½″ 8-channel
BQ-II (upright)	MX-5050 BQII	¼″ 4-channel

The plate carries no speed letter: the III/2 switches between 15/7½ and 7½/3¾ ips inside (MARK III/2 data sheet).

When it was sold↑ TOP

By 1981. Mix's new-products list gives the BQ-II as introduced in January 1981, a compact replacement for the MX5050-QXD, and the III/8 as introduced at the Spring AES (Mix, May 1981, p.66); RE/P had the III/8 shipping to dealers in July 1981. The III/4 is in Billboard by May 1982 (Billboard, 29 May 1982, p.61), and the III/2's earliest dated paper is its 1983 data sheet.

Sources↑ TOP

Factory documents

MX-5050 MKIII-4 instruction and maintenance manual, OS3-035 — the direct-drive capstan and the tabletop operating position.
MX-5050 BQ II manual, OS3-031 — the operating position (section 2-4, specifications 1-4) and the direct-drive capstan (1-1-(1)).
MARK III Series brochure — ©1984, the III/2, III/4, III/8 and BQ-II marketed together; the comparison grid sets all four side by side, and the closing plate photographs them together (PDF).

Period press

Mix, May 1981 — p.66, the BQ-II (January 1981) and the III/8 (Spring AES).
RE/P, June 1981 — pp.92–94, the III/8's capstan and July delivery.
Billboard, 29 May 1982 — p.61, the 5050 Mark III/4.